Insurance (for non-UK trips)

[timday]

I usually check quotes from and have used both BMC and Snowcard (have looked at dogtag too in the past, but never used). BMC seemed to go through a phase of their quotes always being more expensive for a few years, but were competitive again for a Norway ski trip this spring. Snowcard have a lot of knobs and dials you can use to tweak coverage levels and adjust excess... e.g dial coverage on gear and/or electronics down if you're taking your most trashed worn-out near-worthless gear along for one last outing, raise excess if you're really only buying it for worst-case rescue and medical. Can make a LOT of difference to the total price.

I'm a bit dubious about folks who go off to Europe with nothing more than AAC coverage (I do know of people who've done it). Sure it'll cover the bit that's getting you "from the site of an accident away from home to the nearest appropriate medical facility"... but then medical expenses and repatriation could still cost you a fortune, depending what's happened and where you are. Not a substitute for proper travel insurance IMHO, but YMMV. (I note there's also a disclaimer in the FAQ that Garmin policy mentioned above that it only covers search-and-rescue expenses and "This is not a travel insurance.")

 

[Franky]

Never go ‘cheapo’ on Insurance if out of the UK
Check you’ve declared maximum altitude etc
Make sure you have declared EVERY detail of any recent condition or different medication pre trip.
They will check with your Health records

Ensure the number of days you asked to get covered for is absolutely spot on… one day discrepancy….not covered

Register 112

Get the new EU health card as even if you are bleeding to death when they find you and pick you up they demand to see that…
Plus passport details
If you have a serious injury where you are unable to fly home immediately ( airlines demand a ‘Certificate to fly’ to repatriate)..each EU country plus UK are under an obligation to admit you to the nearest Public hospital and treat you as a local would be treated

However…Let’s take Spain as an example here… Understaffing in Public hospitals etc both in wards and operating theatres…

Local agents that work for the Insurance’s underwriters then search around for another hospital that would be suitable. And sometimes there is only a Private option available if you are seriously hurt.. and need urgent attention/operation…Broken limb etc
That means one thing… BIG money…!!!
e.g Surgery broken limb 20,000 Euros
And that may be only for say 4 days!!!

An Insurance company may not pay upfront for a Private option so be prepared to pay upfront for that even though you can claim later…

Get an Insurance company that provides a final escort back home to your front door
Includes total repatriation, Certificate to fly.. the whole package lol…

You may have many accident free decades overseas then one day it happens!!!!

 

[Munro277]

I / We used True Traveler insurance first few times i went away think im going to stick to using them ...any one else used them ?

 

[Diddi]

Well we have spent the past few hours reviewing all companies above and the one @Munro277 recommended was the best by far.
Bought and sorted now thanks Peter.
And thanks @Franky for that informative post that made me look in more detail at these type of companies.

Apologies @harok11a for hijacking it abit

£125 for two people upto 4500m Via ferrata & scrambling in europe and a couple of other places in Africa.

 

[mjh]

We always used to use AAC plus normal travel insurance (having checked that the normal travel insurance would cover us for medical bills once rescued etc). I can’t remember who we used outside of Europe - probably the BMC for the Andes.

 

[Diddi]

We always used to use AAC plus normal travel insurance (having checked that the normal travel insurance would cover us for medical bills once rescued etc). I can’t remember who we used outside of Europe - probably the BMC for the Andes.

It was reading the 1* reviews (people who had to claim) which made us ditch the normal travel insurance companies.
Quick enough to take your money but never paying up or helping when needed most ( in hospital) ..

 

[OwenM]

I've always used BMC for trips abroad, they're expensive especially now I'm over 65. They do however provide a good service. A few years back a friends son and his mate went on a round the world climbing trip. In New Zealand he decided to dive head first into the swimming pool at a nursery school, it was only 2ft deep. End result he was medivaced back to the UK in a Lear Jet Air ambulance with double medical team and aircrews, due to the length of the flight. The bill had lots and lots of zeroes on it, all picked up by the insurers.

 

[harok11a]

-

 

[Franky]

Well we have spent the past few hours reviewing all companies above and the one @Munro277 recommended was the best by far.
Bought and sorted now thanks Peter.
And thanks @Franky for that informative post that made me look in more detail at these type of companies.

Apologies @harok11a for hijacking it abit

£125 for two people upto 4500m Via ferrata & scrambling in europe and a couple of other places in Africa.

That bit of extra ‘digging’ through Insurance Companies hopefully keep you safe

 

[Dave V]

It’s quite refreshing to see this beings discussed.

I spent four years organising and assisting with the repatriation of sick and injured persons via fixed wing air ambulance and around 15-20% of those were uninsured or not covered for the activity undertaken whilst abroad.

 

[Franky]

Yes Dave
I had long friendly conversations on the phone with the Underwriters and they told me about so many cases where folk get in dire straits with an injury/ incident and require help…but when the underwriters investigate they find the claimants have ‘under declared’ previous health issues as one example, or have taken extra days….many ‘untruths’.
There’s no secrets can be hidden as Underwriters are brilliant ‘Detectives’
So claimants then get stranded in far off lands with only their own credit card and bank balance as assistance…

 

[Munro277]

So brothers rang Nationwide flex insurance and they cover tp below 3000m ,cover for rescue for anything that is medically necessary and cover up to 10 million
im still nervous and thinking of using True Traveller which ive used before on trips away
so my question is (im going to ring them today) what questions should i ask them ?
to make sure its good enough cover ?

 

[Diddi]

So brothers rang Nationwide flex insurance and they cover tp below 3000m ,cover for rescue for anything that is medically necessary and cover up to 10 million
im still nervous and thinking of using True Traveller which ive used before on trips away
so my question is (im going to ring them today) what questions should i ask them ?
to make sure its good enough cover ?

Read the worst reviews on trust pilot etc as they are real world experiances of how good the company reacts when the **** hits the fan.
Anyone can promise anything but not deliver.

I am in the RAC and have been for 20 years and the Mrs broke down last week. They gave 6 hours response time for a lone female in and unfamiliar town.
Good job I went and swapped places with her as they rang at 11pm to say the cannot get to her until beyween 8-12 the next day
Whilst I was waiting I read RAC reviews and needless to say I WILL be joining the AA on my return from the dollomites...

 

[Munro277]

Read the worst reviews on trust pilot etc as they are real world experiances of how good the company reacts when the **** hits the fan.
Anyone can promise anything but not deliver.

I am in the RAC and have been for 20 years and the Mrs broke down last week. They gave 6 hours response time for a lone female in and unfamiliar town.
Good job I went and swapped places with her as they rang to say the cannot get to her until beyween 8-12 the next day
Whilst I was waiting I read RAC reviews and needless to say I WILL be joining the AA on my return from the dollomites...

read the worst reviews on Nationwide flexi account insurance ?

 

[Dave V]

You'll find that most bank products are repackages of other products offered by larger companies or direct from the underwriter.

Nationwide look to be underwritten by Aviva. Unless things have changed in the last few years, Aviva themselves do not have a case management department that deals with travel claims specifically. They will be able to provide assistance for small claims, local drs and such but like many other underwriters will link in with a third party organisation such as Cega, Mapfre, Intana or Evolo (there are many more) to manage certain cases. This is common practice.

These assistance companies will be the ones dealing with your needs in the event of a claim and will have preferred supplies in the location. For services like emergency medical or repatriation they will reach out to a number of operators such as the one I worked for and obtain the best quotes for the service.

In my experience most failed or contested claims stem from the individual either not providing the insurer with full and correct medical history or the individual undertaking an activity outside the covers scope.

Some policies will stipulate hiking on defined trails, there will be altitude limits, some will have limits on the cc of a quad bike you may hire, or limits on depths you can dive.

It’s best to call check and clarify if in any doubt and be as forthcoming with any information they ask as you can.

 

[Diddi]

Could this be the correct company?

 

[Diddi]

.

 

[Rahul Anand]

Hey! For my trips abroad, I’ve used World Nomads and Allianz Global Assistance, which offer safe coverage for high-altitude areas and adventure activities.

 

[Rahul Anand]

On my recent trip to Missouri, I stayed at Westgate's Branson hotels and honestly, having good insurance gave me peace of mind. I found World Nomads particularly useful for varying altitudes and activities, which might be a more affordable option for destinations like Nepal and the USA. Hope this helps!!

 

[echo8876]

£125 for two people upto 4500m Via ferrata & scrambling in europe and a couple of other places in Africa.

Oft topic, but I've seen this and would like to inquire if you are going to travel (or travelled) South Africa? Or just a normal climbing routine of, say, Dahab and Atlas Mountains?

 

[Diddi]

Oft topic, but I've seen this and would like to inquire if you are going to travel (or travelled) South Africa? Or just a normal climbing routine of, say, Dahab and Atlas Mountains?

No travel to Africa but they stated we were covered if we did, we only needed it for the Italian Dolomites.

 

[Franky]

Hey! For my trips abroad, I’ve used World Nomads and Allianz Global Assistance, which offer safe coverage for high-altitude areas and adventure activities.

And recovery if injured, hospital costs, surgery, repatriation to your front door included??

 

[Run_Hike_Meat_Repeat]

not something I'd previously sweated over... after reading this and some. of. the bad reviews... I'm now drenched in sweat after swmbo reminded me. of when we were racing in Sweden and a competitor broke his leg the 1st day...

some of the options for cover and prices seem daunting when being concerned about the fine details.

we used AAC when we were in Italy, now I'm not feeling as convinced by them for future insurance for Norway this year and a fortnight next year.

I'm sure I read some bad experiences have been had with AAC & BMC

We're not doing crazy altitudes or rope work etc... But a slip is a slip..
even if we were off a marked trail, I'd like. to think one of us could get the other to a trail before making a call....

neither of us are bothered for getting out bodies home if we died on trail.

what we are bothered about is having to remortgage our home or worse, sell, to pay for either or all rescue/medical/repatriation when abroad.

@Franky 's closing comment
"You may have many accident free decades overseas then one day it happens!!!!"
Has got the cogs grating with what if....?

 

[Munro277]

I used True Teaveller for what it’s worth

 

[Run_Hike_Meat_Repeat]

I used True Teaveller for what it’s worth

edited... looked a bit deeper... 6 days
58 quid without baggage cover. I'll look at it further later... cheers